100% of preschool teachers are ranked with the lowest salary
According to the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), 88% of teachers are being paid lower than civil servants in other sectors and fields. 100% of preschool teachers are currently ranked with the lowest salary in the administrative career salary scale system.
In which, the starting rate for Grade III preschool teachers is 2.10 while the Grade III titles of other civil servants are 2.34 (about 1.11 times higher).
The highest salary coefficient that preschool teachers can receive is 6.38, while the highest salary coefficient that civil servants in other sectors can receive is 8.0 (about 1.25 times higher).
When the Law on Teachers was promulgated, teachers nationwide were very excited and looked forward to the Government's detailed regulations on teachers' salaries being ranked highest in the administrative career salary scale system. Therefore, the regulation of a special salary coefficient has received consensus and support, especially the expectation of the teaching staff nationwide.
Ms. Hoang Thi Hang - a teacher at Nghi An Kindergarten (Nghe An) - shared that she and her colleagues were very happy to hear that there would be salary adjustments and additional specific coefficients (level 1.25 for public preschool teachers). Preschool level has its own characteristics, teachers both teach and care, ensuring the safety of children every hour, so this level of support shows understanding and recognition of silent hardships.
"I hope that the proposal that all teachers are entitled to a special salary coefficient will be approved and implemented in practice soon. Because it meets the urgent needs of preschool education, helping us to reduce some of the economic burden and have more motivation to stick with the profession.
More importantly, it is the affirmation that the work of sowing the first green shoots of the world, despite hard work, is always respected and prioritized by society" - Ms. Hang confided.
Treatment policies are not commensurate
Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper reporter, Associate Professor, Dr. Do Van Dung - former Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education - said that in reality, preschool teachers are the force that is subject to the highest professional pressure but has the lowest income.
They not only teach but also care for, nurture, ensure safety and comprehensive development for young children, a job that requires patience, love and special pedagogical skills. However, the current treatment policy is not commensurate, leading to a shortage and "bleeding" of human resources in the preschool industry.
Preschool teachers are not only caregivers but also early-stage educators, laying the foundation for the formation of personality, language, emotions and social skills for children. Therefore, it is necessary to be properly positioned in the national education system, have a salary and allowance mechanism that accurately reflects the characteristics of a arduous and highly responsible profession.
"To retain and attract preschool teachers, it is necessary to put them in the right center of the educational human resources policy, with appropriate salaries, allowances and working conditions. When guaranteed both materially and spiritually, the preschool teacher team will truly feel secure in their contributions, contributing to building a solid foundation for the future of Vietnamese education" - Associate Professor, Dr. Do Van Dung emphasized.
